United Continental Ends Baggage Fee Discounts

CHICAGO — There's no more incentive to prepay online for your checked bags if you're flying United Continental. The carrier has done away with the $2 to $3 discount that passengers used to get if they paid for their luggage online instead of at the ticket counter.

The charge for domestic flights operated by Chicago-based United Continental Holdings Inc. is now $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second, no matter how or when you pay. The change began for tickets sold since March 9.

United and Continental used to offer a $2 discount on the first bag and $3 off the second to encourage passengers to pay up before arriving at the airport.

Delta Air Lines Inc. still offers a similar discount. Other carriers, including AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, never offered different prices.

Southwest Airlines Co. continues to allow passengers to check two bags for free.